Nominate Clarke Educators for Virginia Lottery Super Teacher Awards

For the fifth straight year, nominations are being sought for the Virginia Lottery Super Teacher Awards. The eight awards, each representing a different geographic area of the state, highlight a valuable Virginia resource: dedicated and talented K-12 public school teachers who truly make a difference in shaping young lives.

The awards are sponsored by the Lottery along with partners at the Virginia PTA and The Supply Room Companies. Each award consists of a $2,000 cash prize and an additional $2,000 classroom credit from Virginia-based The Supply Room Companies.

Each Super Teacher receives the award in a surprise presentation at his or her school, usually in front of his or her students, and sometimes in front of the entire school.

Any K-12 Virginia public school teacher can be nominated. Anyone 18 or older can nominate a teacher by completing a nomination form and writing a short essay.

“A talented and dedicated educator can make such an incredible difference in a person’s life,” said Virginia Lottery Executive Director Paula Otto. “These men and women are instrumental in shaping our children into tomorrow’s leaders, and the Virginia Lottery Super Teacher program is an excellent way to recognize these efforts.”

Official rules and nomination forms are available at www.valottery.com/teacher. Nominations can be submitted either online or through mail. Nominations must be postmarked by February 14, 2012. The winners will then be selected on the strength of their nominations. Winners will be announced between April 1 and June 24 in the winning teacher’s hometown.

“We are so appreciative of the Virginia PTA’s and The Supply Room Companies’ support of this program,” said Otto. “Thanks to this partnership, we are able to continue this program for a fifth year and award eight new, deserving teachers with the Super Teacher designation,” said Otto. “We have consistently received more than 1,200 Super Teacher nominations each year. We hope to see even more compelling nomination essays this year!”